Sausalito Municipal Code Art. II Special Noise Sources

It is unlawful for any person within any zone of the City to use or operate any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, television set, or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort of neighboring residents or any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing or working in the area.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 1(a), 1972)

Any noise level exceeding the ambient base level at the property line of any property (or, if a condominium or apartment house, within any adjoining apartment) by more than five decibels shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of SMC § 12.16.080.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 1(b), 1972)

It is unlawful for any person to use any drum or other instrument or device of any kind for the purpose of attracting attention for a commercial purpose by the creation of noise within the City.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 2, 1972)

It is unlawful for any person to create any noise on any street, sidewalk, or public place adjacent to any school, institution of learning, church, or City building while the same is in use, which noise unreasonably interferes with the workings of such institution.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 3, 1972)

No person shall keep or maintain, or permit the keeping of upon any premises owned, occupied, or controlled by such person, any animal or fowl otherwise permitted to be kept which, by any sound, cry, or behavior, shall cause annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 4, 1972)

It is unlawful for any person to operate any machinery, equipment, pump, fan, air conditioning apparatus, or similar mechanical device in any manner so as to create any noise which would cause the noise level at the property line of any property to exceed the ambient base noise level by more than five decibels.

(Ord. 783 Art. II § 5, 1972)

The use of backup emergency generators is allowed during a prolonged power outage or emergency, as declared by the City of Sausalito, State or Federal government, or when otherwise warranted by conditions that the City deems to constitute an emergency or a necessity, if the generator complies with current fire and building codes, and complies with the following standards and regulations:

A. Generators for Commercial Use. During a prolonged power outage period or emergency, generators for commercial uses may be operational 24 hours per day, are limited to 75 dB at the property line and should be shut off when not critically needed to minimize the disturbance of neighbors.

B. Generators for Residential Use. During a prolonged power outage period or emergency, generators for residential uses shall comply with setback standards of the underlying zoning district, are limited to 75 dB at the property line and shall be placed in an area that is reasonably practical for the homeowner that is least disruptive to neighbors. Generators supporting residential uses should be shut off when not critically needed in order to minimize the disturbance to neighbors and in particular should not run during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., except as required to manage food spoilage.

C. Generators for Essential Emergency Services. Generators serving public safety facilities, public utility facilities and public/private facilities providing emergency services and generators providing service to those with a bona fide health or medical need on residential properties may be operational 24 hours per day during any power outage period or emergency. In such cases of a health or medical need, a reasonable accommodations request shall be approved by and filed with the City for use of the generator during any power outage period or emergency and the generator shall comply with setback standards of the underlying zoning district, is limited to 75 dB at the property line and shall be placed in an area that is reasonably practical for the homeowner that is least disruptive to neighbors.

D. Testing of Generators. Testing of emergency generators shall be limited to the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day, and shall be limited in duration to that specified by manufacturer's specifications.

E. Permits Required. Appropriate building and planning permits from the City's Community Development Department are required for generator installations.

F. Definition of Prolonged Power Outage. For the purpose of this section a "prolonged power outage" means a power outage that is no less than four hours in duration.

(Ord. 1279 § 1, 2020)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate gas powered landscape equipment based on the following table.

B. Exceptions.

1. The use of gasoline powered landscape equipment for large turf areas, greater than 2,000 square feet, within the city in which battery powered equipment cannot reasonably address the maintenance needs.

2. The use of gasoline powered and electric powered landscape equipment may be utilized during an emergency or a disaster and in support of emergency services operations.

3. Vegetation management services initiated, and managed, by emergency service personnel.

4. Landscape equipment that is not supported by battery powered equipment such as rototillers, fence augers and all construction equipment that requires sufficient power to achieve the intended result and may require an operator to sit in or on the equipment to operate.

5. Public works construction projects that are required to utilize gasoline powered generators, compressors, compaction devices, concrete cutting devices and others necessary to address the public improvement.

6. Landscaping maintenance equipment utilized on School District property.

7. The Public Works Director and Community Development Director shall have the ability to issue specific exemptions to allow the use of specific landscaping equipment on a case-by-case basis when no reasonable alternative is available addressing landscaping.

(Ord. 1290 § 1, 2022)